In Hong Kong I watched TV programmes transmitted in Mandarin, made in Taiwan. My friend's family TV, she said, got only Chinese programmes. However, we were able to see BBC and Sky TV news in English.
Two interesting Chinese programmes:
Starting the day with a Buddhist meditation. The woman who started the modern movement including the TV programme read the scriptures which appeared on the screen as Chinese subtitles. My friend translated some of the sayings for me. She also had a book of the Buddhist scripture.
The pictures were mainly of calming scenes from nature, waterfalls, trees, flowers and skies. This was followed by news items about the social work done. For example, helping the homeless with showers and a set of clothes and a cv to help them find work. Also building them a dormitory with bunks, it looked like four to a room.
I've seen similar programmes from elsewhere in the world. It seems to me that charity workers all over the world are following each other's principles or discovering them simultaneously.
If you watch Catholic programmes you will see Mother Teresa and good works. Catholics in France collect by passing a box at wedding ceremonies in church.
If you read literature from Israel or the Jews you learn about all their programmes sending water and sniffer dogs to disasters and sending doctors. The synagogue magazines contain appeals. Jews collect from the congregations with an appeal at New Year.
The same applies to liberal Muslims and orthodox muslims. They give a proportion of their money to good causes all year and at certain festivals.
Many Chinese and Indian and African families unite all their funds to send the brightest child to school or a training college or university, then to work, at home or overseas. That 'child' then uses funds to repay and look after the elderly and/or to send young siblings and cousins or one or two or three other members of the same village to get educated and/or to build a school.
Angela Lansbury, travel writer, author and speaker.
